Species at Risk

Whooping Crane

Wood Buffalo National Park of Canada protects the nesting habitat of the last remaining wild migratory flock of whooping cranes left in the world. Whooping cranes used to range across much of central North America, from the southern coast of Texas as far north as the Northwest Territories. Though never abundant, their numbers were thought to be around 1500 in the mid-1800’s. Human settlement subsequently destroyed much of their nesting habitat, and by 1941 the population had dropped to an all-time low of 21 birds. Whooping Cranes are classified as endangered by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) and Parks Canada is working on its with recovery with national and international partners.